Coastal Restoration Trust of New Zealand

Coastal Dune Ecosystem Reference Database

Sedimentation of the alternation greywacke and argillite strata in the Porirua district Journal Paper

Author
Webby, B.D.
Year
1959
Journal / Source
New Zealand Journal of Geology and Geophysics
Volume
2
Pages
461-478
Summary
The Lower Mesozoic alternating greywackes and argillites in the Porirua district exhibit graded bedding, lamination, convolute lamination, cross lamination, mud flakes, and current markings. The sediments, rapidly derived from a plutonic terrain, were rapidly transported and deposited by turbidity currents in the New Zealand Geosyncline. The orientation of cross lamination and current markings suggests that the turbidity currents flowed north-north-east, sub-parallel to the present regional tectonic trend. At Porirua, sedimentation was in deep water, a considerable distance from the supplying land mass, and not far from the axis of the geosyncline.